A Polar Express Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving this year was a little extra special! The planning for the holiday actually started back in October when Matt's sister, Kim, called and asked if she could take the kids on the Polar Express for their Christmas present from her. Of course we said yes! What kid wouldn't want to ride on a train to the North Pole? It was even more special because Aunt Kim lives in Texas and her whole family was coming for the week of Thanksgiving to spend with us (well the kids) for the holiday. Lucas and Macie just love their Aunt Kim, Uncle Wayne, Noah and Abby! So they were super excited to get to spend some extra time with them. 

So the day before Thanksgiving, Matt and I took our birthday days (it is a personal work day off that we get from our school district) so that we could travel to Williams, Arizona to take the train ride with the Fraleigh's! The plan was to meet the Fraleigh's and Grandma & Grandpa Johnson in Williams for an early dinner before getting on the train. They were already in the area because they had spent the day before at the Grand Canyon. Also, our good family friends, the Spies', were going with us because Kim ended up with a few extra train tickets. Morgan, Kenzie, Lucas and Macie always have a good time together. They are truly part of the family.

Of course, Elfie (our Elf on the Shelf) arrived a little early to deliver new pajamas to wear on the Polar Express! He also brought new slippers as well.

Elfie with the new pajamas, slippers and a special note from the North Pole!

Lucas and Macie opening up their new pajamas!

After opening up the new pajamas, packing the car with toys and entertainment tools (ipads, Christmas movies) and getting the treats ready for the 5 hour car ride up to Williams, we were off! The  goal was to watch movies on the way up, stop for a little lunch, let Macie take a good nap so she would be in a good mood, watch some more movies and find some snow to play in! Luckily we were able to check off all of those goals! The best part of the car ride was stopping and playing in the snow in Flagstaff!

Of course, there was a snowball fight!

Trying to take a picture with my little girl...
While being hit with a snowball thrown from Lucas!

My little snow babies!

After stopping and playing in the snow, we met up with the Fraleigh's, the Spies' and Grandma & Grandpa Johnson at a pizza parlor in Williams. It was the perfect place for a little dinner. There were only a few people in there and it was very family friendly so the kids could run around and play together. This was necessary since Lucas and Macie had been sitting in a car for over 5 hours. 

We finished our dinner and headed to the train! We changed the kids into their pj's and took off to find the Polar Express! Lucas and Macie were so excited about the train ride to see Santa, drink hot chocolate and eat cookies. 

Running as fast as they could to the train station!

It is pretty cool how they have a train that looks just like the one in the movie!

Lucas and Macie with their cousins, Abby & Noah!

The crew: Macie, Abby, Courtney, Lucas, Ashley, Kenzie, Noah and Morgan!
They had such a great time together!

The whole family: Lucas, Matt, myself, Macie, Aunt Kim, Abby, Noah, Grandma Johnson, Grandpa Johnson and Uncle Wayne!

The train ride was so special! It is really hard to describe the excitement and memories that were made on the train! It is definitely magical! On the ride up to the "North Pole" we were served hot chocolate and sugar cookies. They read the Polar Express story, and you go through a "Time Warp" tunnel! Once you arrive at the North Pole, Santa is outside of the train in his sleigh waving to everyone. Then he gets on the train and gives every child a bell! 

Just look at the excitement in his eyes!

The serving of hot chocolate and cookies!
They even play the hot chocolate song from the movie!

Santa on his sleigh waving as we arrived at the North Pole!

Lucas getting his bell from Santa!
He was so excited and so happy!
So magical!

Macie with her bell!

The Polar Express was one of the best Christmas gifts the kids could have gotten! It was also one of the best Christmas gifts we got! To see the magic and excitement in Lucas and Macie when they saw Santa and got their bell are memories you can't pass up! It was so perfect! Even though Macie got a little squirrelly toward the end, she loved it! Especially the singing of the Christmas carols on the ride back to the train station! Girl loves to sing! We would definitely take the kids on the Polar Express again!

The following day was actually Thanksgiving where we ate turkey, played at the park, put up Christmas at Grandma & Grandpa Johnson's house and spent some quality time with the Fraleigh's along with Great Grandma. It was a nice day. My only regret was not getting a picture of all of the grandkids with Great Grandma or actually taking pictures of the day! Oh well! I think I was still a little tired from the day before. We didn't get home until 1 in the morning and didn't get both kids into bed until 2 in the morning. Even though they slept the whole way home, once you take them, well Macie, out of her carseat she wakes right up. Lucas transfers from the carseat to his bed without waking. Macie needed a little cuddling time on the couch before heading to bed.

On the Friday of Thanksgiving week we celebrated cousin Noah's 16th birthday by going out to dinner! One of our favorite family restaurants is El Coral and it has this great round room with a door that you can shut so it is only your family in that room! Which allows for little children to walk around while waiting for dinner to cook while not disturbing everyone else in the restaurant. It is a nice night when you get this room! We had a really great dinner and had fun celebrating Noah's birthday! It was just nice to spend time as a family.

Happy 16th Birthday Noah!

So Thanksgiving this year was extra special! The Polar Express, spending time with the Fraleigh's, having Thanksgiving with Great Grandma, and celebrating a birthday! I would have to say, we had a lot to be thankful for this Thanksgiving!

I am especially thankful for these two turkeys!
They have given me a lot to be thankful for!
Happy Thanksgiving from the Johnson's!